House Beautiful
Gregory Blake Sams translates his signature style into his shop, Wentworth, in Charleston
By Jac Valitchka
Charleston is known for its abundance of beautiful things. And, with the opening of Wentworth last summer by award-winning event designer Gregory Blake Sams, you can find them all in one place. The historic nineteenth-century storefront on the corner of Wentworth and Rutledge streets contains a storied collection of thoughtfully curated items: Parisian linens, hand-painted lampshades from London, and myriad other elegant appointments to hearth and home, as well as globally procured one-of-a-kind antiques. Sams’s discerning sense for design, and how it delights the eye and soul, is at the heart of the shop.
You attended the College of Charleston and then worked for the Spoleto Festival USA as the special events manager. Explain your trajectory from college and Spoleto into the career you have now.
Blake Sams: I got my start in the events and design industry while in college, as well as spent several years designing and executing all events for Spoleto Festival USA before launching Gregory Blake Sams Events in 2017. I have spent the last five years splitting my time between Charleston and New York City as my events and design business expanded. From a very young age, I’ve been attracted to storied objects and spaces. During college, I focused on hospitality and always loved watching how a beautifully executed event can enhance an environment, which is what drove me into a career in event planning.
Describe your own personal style.
BS: Fairly traditional and refined with a few unique toss-ins to keep it fresh and interesting. I always gravitate towards earth tones.
Congratulations on Wentworth’s opening! Why was that important to you to do?
BS: Wentworth is a true reflection (and collection) of the things I love—it’s that ideal mix of traditional elements with eclectic surprises to suit a shopper that embraces both the old and the new. It’s intended to make living, entertaining, and collecting easy, elevated, and aspirational—but also accessible. I hope it’ll be a destination for those who already love home entertaining, but also for those who will seek us out when they choose to dip their toe into the world of design. It’s that store full of things you never knew you wanted or needed and are now desperate to collect and mix in with all the things you already own and love. V
Wentworth, 162 Wentworth St, Charleston, SC; shopwentworth.com
This story appears in our Winter 2025 issue.
